Everett Golson says he plans to return to Notre Dame

May 27, 2013
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Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson (5) reacts during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Golson has been put on academic suspension and will miss the 2013 season. / Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

by Daniel Uthman, USA TODAY Sports

by Daniel Uthman, USA TODAY Sports

Everett Golson says he will miss the 2013 football season at Notre Dame because of an academic suspension but plans to return in 2014.

In a statement released by the school Sunday afternoon, Notre Dame's starting quarterback in 2012 cited "poor academic judgment" as the reason for his suspension.

"I have been informed by the University of Notre Dame that due to my poor academic judgment that I have been suspended from the University for the 2013 Fall Term," Golson said. "I take full responsibility for my poor choices and will do all that is asked of me to regain the trust of my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the entire Notre Dame community."

His statement continued, "My parents and the community I grew up in have instilled values in me that have and will continue to allow me to be successful in the future. There have been many lessons learned as I worked to become the starting quarterback at Notre Dame and each was a result of Coach (Brian) Kelly's belief in me as an athlete and a person.

"At this point, I understand how my integrity could be in question but I want to reassure my supporters that through this experience I will return a better student athlete as well as a better individual.

"Lastly, I want to thank the University of Notre Dame for the opportunity already granted and also the opportunity going forth to regain my eligibility in the winter of 2014."

A university official confirmed to USA TODAY Sports late Saturday night that Golson is no longer in school.

Dennis Brown, assistant vice president for public information and communications said in an email: "Everett is not enrolled at Notre Dame. Federal law and our own policies preclude us from discussing specifics."

Michael Bertsch, an athletics department spokesman, told USA TODAY Sports that Golson finished the spring semester, but he would not speak to any specifics about what caused the quarterback to leave.

Multiple messages left with Golson's mother and his high school coach were not returned.

The story was first reported by WNDU-TV in South Bend and the South Bend Tribune newspaper.

In 2012, Golson led Notre Dame to an unbeaten regular season and the national championship game, where the Irish lost to Alabama 42-14.

Golson's departure likely leaves Tommy Rees as the starting quarterback. Rees, a rising senior, spelled Golson several times last season.

Golson started 11 of 13 games, completing 58.8% of his passes for 2,405 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions. Rees played in 12 games, starting twice.

In the spring game last month, Golson went 6-for-13 for 98 yards and an interception. He was sacked three times. According to the Associated Press, he was not pleased with the performance of the offense, saying, "I know for my part there were a lot of plays there I was missing."